Omega-3s benefit eyesight, immune health and more in babies and children

by Newsletter Editor

For pregnant women, taking omega-3s is more important than they might realize. Several new studies on omega-3s, pregnant moms, infants and young children, confirm the wide-ranging benefits of omega-3s from fish oil.

In a 12-year study, 1,770 kids whose genes or family history increased the risk for type 1 diabetes began taking omega-3s at 1 year old. After six years, kids who had higher omega-3 levels in the blood were 55% less likely to have type 1 diabetes than kids with lower omega-3 levels.

In another study of 135 moms, baby girls whose moms had taken 400 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) per day while pregnant had better eyesight at 2 months old than girls whose moms had taken a placebo. Boys and girls whose moms had a good balance between omega-6s and omega-3s had better vision than kids whose moms had higher omega-6 levels than omega-3. Doctors believe that the Western diet, which does not include enough fish, provides too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3 essential fats.

Doctors measured the amount of DHA in the umbilical cord blood of over 300 newborns, then seven years later tested how well the children moved and controlled muscles. They found that kids born with higher DHA levels performed better than kids born with lower DHA levels.

Kids—64 of them—who took infant formula with fish oil for three months beginning at 9 months old had more mature immune systems than kids who had taken cow’s milk or infant formula without fish oil.

Mothers—495 of them who had premature babies in the past—were less likely to do so again after taking 2.7 grams of omega-3s per day, starting at 20 weeks pregnant.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Information provided on this site is solely for informational purposes only.
It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing of any medications or
supplements. Only your healthcare provider should diagnose your healthcare problems and
prescribe treatment. None of our statements or information, including health claims, articles,
advertising or product information have been evaluated or approved by the United States Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). The products or ingredients referred to on this site are
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare
provider before starting any supplement, diet or exercise program, before taking any medications
or receiving treatment, particularly if you are currently under medical care. Make sure you
carefully read all product labeling and packaging prior to use. If you have or suspect you
may have a health problem, do not take any supplements without first consulting and obtaining
the approval of your healthcare provider.
California Consumers – Proposition 65 requires sellers to notify California consumers
of substances that are in many foods, plants, herbs and supplements with the following warning.
WARNING: These products contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth
defects or other reproductive harm.